(All Bible verses in this post are taken from the New King James Version)
I’m sitting here pondering Mary’s situation.
She’s just a young girl, some say as young as 14 or 15, when she is engaged to Joseph.
Now, back in those days women had to marry young because they died young — life expectancy in her time was around 45 years old; only a lucky few got to see old age. With such a short life expectancy women needed to start having babies pretty much as soon as they were physically able. Not only did they have to have time to raise these children, but they also had to have lots of children in order to ensure the continuation of the human race: There were no vaccines or antibiotics back then, so sick babies often died. In many cases, a woman could bear 13 children but have only 3 or 4 of them survive to adulthood. Therefore, it was paramount for women to marry in their early teens years.
So here we have young Mary, who is engaged to a carpenter named Joseph. The Bible never reveals whether Joseph and Mary are actually in love, but it is clear that she is willing to marry him. Shortly after they are betrothed, she is alone by herself somewhere when the angel Gabriel suddenly appears to her; and what a strange greeting he gives her:
“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Mary tried to assess this greeting. I can only imagine what was going through her head: Why is an angel talking to me? What make me so especially favored? What does he want with me? What is going on??!!
Gabriel apparently realizes that Mary is becoming a bit disturbed by his greeting and eases her fears: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” and immediately gives her the most craziest news of her life: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Mary understands the message, but doesn’t understand how this is supposed to happen, so she asks Gabriel: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” She may be young, but she isn’t dumb. She knows that normally it requires a male to produce a pregnancy. She’s a virgin at this point, and thus is puzzled as to how this is supposed to happen with her. Gabriel explains to her that God’s Holy Spirit will cause the miracle, and reminds her that “with God nothing will be impossible”. As soon as she accepts this explanation, Gabriel disappears, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
And I try to put myself in her position: How does a young woman absorb THIS information?! Normal parents of normal babies already have the anxiety of how to care for a baby. Every parent wonders if he or she can do the “job” right; every parent wonders if they’ll be able to handle the responsibility; every parent wonders if they’ll accidentally “mess up” the kid for life.
And then to be told you are going to give birth to GOD’S Son???!!! No pressure there — yeah right.
I’d be reasonably sure that God wouldn’t let the child die, so that wouldn’t be an issue. BUT…. I’d be always second-guessing myself in the worst way: Would God approve of my discipline methods? Does God want me to send Him to school, or should I have Him learn Joseph’s trade instead? How should I act if I lose my temper with the child? Should I get a part-time job to help support the family better? Should I have Him call Joseph “daddy”? Should I tell His later siblings who He really is?
I’d probably also be reviewing all the prophecies related to the Saviour; looking to see if there is something I need to know in my rearing of Him. How else will I know if something is meant to be or not?
I’m sure I’d be driving my husband CRAZY with my fears and worries. And I’m equally sure that these worries would dissipate over time (which my husband would be grateful for). And in the midst of all the worry would exist the awesome wonder of being chosen to be a part of such a large miracle.
I am grateful to Mary for so readily accepting such a huge responsibility. I am grateful to Joseph for his willing support of Mary’s situation. And I am especially grateful to God, for sending us such a wonderful method of redemption.
Amen
